Chimerix reports PhII failure for lead antiviral

Durham, NC-based Chimerix ($CMRX) tried to put the best spin possible on the failure of a mid-stage study of brincidofovir (CMX001), its lead antiviral. Investigators tested the antiviral among hematopoietic cell transplant recipients with early adenovirus infection, but said--well into its release--that the therapy fell short on achieving statistical significance on efficacy in the "progression to possible or probable AdV disease or significant changes in AdV viremia. Chimerix launched a hot IPO earlier this year and its stock was barely dented today. "The acceptable safety and tolerability of CMX001, and successful incorporation of the Safety Monitoring and Management Plan in this study, were important milestones for the brincidofovir program as we initiate dosing in the Phase 3 SUPPRESS trial for CMV prevention in HCT recipients," said M. Michelle Berrey, the chief medical officer of Chimerix. "Additionally, consistent trends toward decreased progression of AdV disease and a decrease in overall mortality for subjects randomized to CMX001 BIW reaffirm our belief that earlier intervention in viral disease is the preferred strategy to prevent decrease morbidity and mortality from AdV and other dsDNA viral diseases. Ultimately, we believe that broad use of CMX001 as a prevention for CMV, AdV, and other viral diseases that impact immunocompromised patients will prove to be the best approach." Release